He was born May 16, 1946, in Sturgis, Mich., to Aldine and Irma (Lantz) Haarer.

He married Patricia Parks on May 15, 1971, in Columbia City, whom he lovingly called “Pepper” throughout their marriage.

She survives along with his mother and stepfather, Irma and Ezra Graber; a daughter, Anita (Ty) Palmer of Goshen; two grandchildren, Reece and Jaxon; two brothers, James (Sharon) Haarer of Goshen and Dennis (Joyce) Haarer of Hillsdale, Mich.; two stepbrothers, Don Graber of Constantine, Mich., and Merlin Graber of Plant City, Fla.; and two stepsisters, Wanda (Wayne) Bontrager of Goshen and Judy Eash of Holland, Mich.

He was preceded in death by his father and an infant son, Ricky Brian Haarer.

A lifelong area resident, he owned and operated Haarer’s Cleaning Service for more than 10 years. He was active with the Gideon’s Elkhart County North Camp and a member of the NRA.

Richard attended Calvary Assembly of God and First Assembly of God, where he was involved with the men’s ministry, bus ministry and taught Sunday school. He enjoyed riding his Goldwing, but his greatest pleasure came from being with his grandchildren.

The family would like to acknowledge the consistent presence of Pastor Dwight Gosser of New Life Christian Center, Bristol, toward the end of Richard’s life.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4, 2013, at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, where a funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013. His brother, the Rev. Dennis Haarer, and the Rev. Dwight Gosser will officiate. Burial will follow in Shore Cemetery, Shipshewana.

Memorial contributions may be made to U.S. Missions, a prison ministry.